n my ongoing journey to master Mandarin Chinese, I am constantly searching for methods that make my learning more intentional, more personal, and ultimately more effective. Recently, I experimented with two tools that pushed my practice to a new level: the teacher-mode version of the SpeakPal app and a short video I recorded and shared on social media.
This article reflects on how I used both, what I learned from the process, and how similar techniques can support anyone seeking to speak Chinese with greater confidence and precision.
1. Why I Chose SpeakPal for Oral Practice
While preparing for the B1.2 exam at the Escola Oficial d’Idiomes Drassanes, I became acutely aware that listening comprehension was more challenging than anticipated. Yet I also realised that listening cannot truly improve unless speaking improves first: pronunciation, rhythm, and clarity all feed into one’s ability to understand others.
This led me to incorporate an AI-based tool that would allow me to:
- Record my voice and listen back critically.
- Compare my speech with native models.
- Receive immediate feedback on tones, problematic consonants, and natural pacing.
- Build a consistent daily speaking routine, adaptable to my schedule.
SpeakPal provided exactly that. I signed in as “teacher/participant” under my professional writing identity, to test how the platform could support speaking development while also connecting me with others who share similar linguistic ambitions.
2. The Video I Recorded — and Why I Made It Public
As part of my “AI CHINESE – Chinese Speech” series, I recorded a short video and posted it on X (formerly Twitter), documenting my speaking progress with full transparency.
By sharing it publicly, I created a personal contract: growth over perfection, and courage over self-consciousness.
3. How I Combined the App and the Video to Accelerate Improvement
Below is the exact workflow I followed — a simple but powerful structure that can help any learner refine their spoken Mandarin:
- Initial recording.
I used SpeakPal to record a short self-introduction. - AI-generated feedback.
The app pointed out two recurring issues:- my intonation tended to drop excessively at the end of statements, and
- my “ch” sound in 像词 was too soft.
This feedback instantly shifted my awareness.
- Public video posting.
Sharing the video online exposed subtle weaknesses I hadn’t noticed: a slow, uneven rhythm and hesitation between phrases. This form of self-observation is invaluable. - Re-recording with corrections.
Returning to SpeakPal, I focused on:- keeping a gentle upward tone at the end of questions,
- strengthening the initial consonant in 像词, and
- reducing unnecessary pauses.
The second recording already felt markedly more natural.
- Daily progress journal.
Each day, I recorded 1–2 minutes, compared it with earlier versions, and noted two micro-improvements to carry into the next session. This iterative loop is the essence of deliberate practice.
4. What This Process Taught Me
Working with both the app and my own video revealed insights that go beyond pronunciation:
- AI is a mirror that tells the truth, without judgment and without emotional weight.
- Recording oneself is an act of vulnerability—but also an accelerator of progress.
- Speaking improves listening, not the other way around. The more confidently I articulate tones and syllables, the more clearly I perceive them in others.
- Consistency, even in tiny doses, reshapes one’s language identity.
This method—AI feedback + self-observation + public accountability—has become a cornerstone of my Mandarin learning strategy.
5. Final Thoughts
Integrating AI tools like SpeakPal with personal video reflection has transformed the way I approach spoken Mandarin. It has helped me develop precision, awareness, and the emotional resilience needed to learn a challenging language as an adult.
If you are also on a journey to speak Chinese with clarity and confidence, consider adopting a similar routine.
The combination of technology, self-honesty, and consistency can turn each short recording into a meaningful step forward.
@Yolanda Muriel Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0)
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